Strikes

Karate features a great variety of hand, foot and elbow strikes. Their original purpose was to kill or incapacitate an opponent as quickly as possible, ideally in one blow.

 With that it mind, the strikes would be aimed at the weakest or most vulnerable parts of the body, where the protection from bone or muscle is minimal or where a vital organ could be struck.

Click the images to the left to open charts of these weak areas in a new window.

Naturally, blows to these areas should come from strong, resistant parts of the karateka's body. The charts below show the parts of the hand and foot that should carry the force from a blow.